Children&#39;s sidewalk simulated boat



NOV. l, 1960 w. s. DUPREE 2,958,535

CHILDRENS SIDEWALK SIMULATED BOT Filed Nov. 26, 1958 BY @m- ZM ATTORNEYS United States Patent CHILDRENS SIDEWALK SIlVIULATED BAT Walter S. Dupree, 2722 Engle St., Dallas, Tex.

Filed Nov. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 776,637

1 Claim. (Cl. 2801.11)

The present invention relates to a sidewalk simulated boat for use by children.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a wheeled device for children which simulates a boat in appearance and is operated by means of pedals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sidewalk boat of the class described above having a tubular frame support for the boat body and running gear.

A further object of the invention is to pro'vide a sidewalk boat of the class described above having a chain drive mechanism and means for adjusting the tension of the drive chain.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sidewalk boat of the class described above which is inexpense to manufacture, simple to use and which is sturdy in its construction.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specitication when considered in light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is la transverse section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicates generally a sidewalk boat constructed in accordance with the invention.

The sidewalk boat 10 includes a tubular longitudinally extending frame member 11 which is downwardly olset at 12 to provide a generally horizontal forward portion 13 and a generally horizontal downwardly offset rear portion 14. The frame member 11 is provided with a forward flange 15 on its forward end and a rear flange 16 on its rear end.

A body, generally indicated at B, has a pair of spaced parallel side walls 17, 18 connected together by a transversely extending rear wall 19 at their rear end. The side walls 17, 18 are curved inwardly at 20, 21, respectively, terminating in la point 22 centrally of the body B. An upright generally triangul-ar block 23 is positioned intermediate and secured to the forward ends of the side walls 17, 18. An upwardly arched deck 24 overlies the curved portions 20, 21 of the side walls 17, 18 and extends rearwardly from the forward ends 22 of the side walls 17, 18.

A transversely extending horizontal seat 25 extends forwardly from the rear wall 19 intermedi-ate the upper and lower edges of the side walls 17, 18. The seat 25 is secured on plates 26 mounted on the side walls 17, 18 and the rear wall 19.

l2,958,535 Patented Nov. 1, 1960 `A pair of bearing blocks 27 are arranged in oppositely disposed relation and secured to the underside edges of the side walls 17, 18 adjacent the rear wall 19. A rear axle 28 is journalled in the bearing blocks 27 and is provided with a pair of drive wheels 29 rigidly secured thereto. A `sprocket 30 is mounted centrally on the axle 28, for reasons to be assigned.

The anges 15, 16 on the tubular frame 11 are secured respectively to the block 23 and to the rear wall 19 to support the body B on the frame 11.

A U-shaped yoke 31 is pivotally secured to the tubular lframe 11 forwardly of the downwardly oset portion 12 thereof by means of a pivot bolt 32. A sprocket 33 is journalled in the yoke 31 and is provided with oppositely extending cranks 34. A chain C is trained over the sprockets 30, 33 so that the wheel 29 will be rotated on rotation of the cranks 34. The yoke 31 has a transversely extending plate 35 secured thereto between the sprocket 33 and the tubular frame member 11. A bracket 36 is secured to the tubular frame member 11 in depending relation `thereto and has a bolt 37 threaded therethrough and engaging the plate 35 to maintain the yoke 31 in a position to keep the chain C tightly engaged with the sprockets 30, 33. The chain C may be covered by a suitable chain guard of conventional construction if such be found desirable.

A steering shaft 38 is journalled in a bushing 39 supported on an upstanding bracket 40 secured rat its lower end to the frame member 11. A steering wheel 41 is mounted on the rear end of the steering shaft 38 for conventional operation. A tubular upstanding support 42 extends through and is welded to the frame member 11 and is provided with bearings 43, 44 at its upper and lower ends respectively. A steering post 45 is journalled in the bearings 43, 44 and is connected to the steering shaft 38 by Ia universal joint 46. A yoke 47 is secured to the lower end of the steering post 45 and has a ground engaging wheel 48 journalled therein and `adapted to steer the sidewalk boat 10 upon rotary movement of the `steering wheel 41.

In the use and operation of the invention, a child is seated on the transversely extending seat 25 with the feet engaged with the cranks 34 to propel the sidewalk boat 10 which is steered by the steering wheel 41. The bolt 37 maintains the chain C in tight engagement with the sprockets 30, 33 yand can be ladjusted as wear occurs in the chain C.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood. that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A sidewalk boat comprising a body having spaced apart side walls, a forward upstanding block and a rear wall with the side walls connected by said `forward block and said rear wall, an elongated longitudinally extending horizontal tubular frame member having a dependingly offset rear end portion and having its opposite ends secured to said forward block and said rear wall intermediate said side walls, a pair of drive wheels journalled on said side walls adjacent said rear wall, an upright tubular support extending through a forward portion of said tubular frame member, a steering post in said tubular support, a front wheel secured to` said steering post, a steering shaft connected to said steering post by a universal joint, a steering wheel on said steering post for steering said front wheel, means mounted on said tubular frame member for rotating said rear wheels comprising a yoke pivot- 3 ally mounted on said frame member forwardly of said References Cited in the file 0f this patent dependingly offset rear end portion, an adjustment bolt UNITED STATES PATENTS secured to said frame member and engaging said yoke normally urging said yoke away from said rear wheels, 1,387,771 Eklulld n Aug. 16, 1921 a sprocket journaued in said yoke, actuating pedals for 5 2,731,274 McCauley Jan. 17, 1956 Jsaid sprocket, a second sprocket secured to said rear 2,761,589 Becker Sept. 4, 1956 wheels, `a chain trained over said sprockets, and a seat secured to said wall overlying said dependingly olfset rear FOREIGN PATENTS end portion ofV said tubular frame. 418,246 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1934 

